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| COURSE INFORMATION Population and International Health HPP 207ab. Econometrics for Health Policy (Department of Health Policy
and Management and the Department of Population and International Health) Dr. C. Yip 5 credits Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course provides students with an understanding of intermediary
econometric concepts and methods commonly used in health policy research.
Special attention is given to modeling and model specification issues.
Articles from the health policy literature and computer data exercises
provide a context for discussion of the methods. Prepares students for a
fuller understanding of the material covered in HPM 208cd. Course Note: Some prior course work in statistics necessary; signature of
instructor required indicating suitable background.
HPP 268c. Financing Health Care in Developing Countries (Departments of
Health Policy and Management and Population and International Health) Dr. Y. Liu, Dr. W. Hsiao, Dr. P. Berman 2.5 credits Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course provides a comprehensive survey on the major health care
financing options for developing countries. It begins with introduction
of system diagnostic criteria such as equity and efficiency, as well as
assessment tools such as the National Health Account technique. Drawing
on economic theory and international experiences, the course analyzes
strengths and weaknesses of alternative approaches to financing,
including tax-based financing, social insurance, user fee financing, and
community financing. The aim is to prepare students for applied work in
economics and policy analysis related to health financing. This course
makes extensive use of case studies.
ID 250b. Ethical Basis of the Practice of Public Health (Department of
Health Policy and Management and the Department of Population and
International Health) Dr. M. Reich 2.5 credits Lectures, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
Provides students with a broad overview of some of the main philosophical
and moral ideas that are used as a basis for resolving debates of public
health policy. Helps students develop their own capacities to analyze,
criticize, evaluate, and construct policy-oriented arguments. Course Note: Acceptance into the MPH Program or the Department of Health
Policy and Management or the Department of Population and International
Health; students must register for appropriate section.
ID250c. Ethical Basis of the Practice of Public Health (Department of
Population and International Health) Dr. J. Sevilla 2.5 credits Lectures, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
Provides students with a broad overview of some of the main philosophical
and moral ideas that are used as a basis for resolving debates of public
health policy. Helps students develop their own capacities to analyze,
criticize, evaluate, and construct policy-oriented arguments. Course note: Acceptance into the MPH Program or the Department of
Population and International Health; students must register for
appropriate section.
ID 262a. Introduction to the Practice of International Health (Department
of Population and International Health) Dr. R. Cash 2.5 credits Lectures, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
How is international health defined? What are its historical roots and
modern manifestations? Which are the major contemporary issues and
debates on policies and practices? These questions are addressed in this
introductory course that defines the scope of the field, highlights
contemporary issues, and reviews selective case studies of international
health policies and practices. The course begins with an examination of
world health and development and the rapid health transitions taking
place around the world. Key contemporary issues are critically examined -
disease control, primary health care, child survival, essential drugs,
health policy, and the evolving roles of international and
non-governmental organizations. Interspersed throughout are several case
studies of challenges facing the modern practice of international health. Course Note: This introductory course complements PIH 200a and prepares
the student for other international health offerings, including PIH 244b
and PIH 251d.
PIH 200a. Population and Health Dr. D. Bloom 2.5 credits Lectures, discussion. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course shows how the population-based approach provides new insights
into international public health issues, covers the health and mortality
transitions in developed and developing countries, reviews the links
between fertility, mortality and reproductive health, and provides a
basic introduction to fertility and family planning programs. Course Note: Departmental requirement.
PIH 203c. Computer Methods for Demography and International Health Mr. S. Atwood (P), Dr. A. Hill (S) 2.5 credits Lectures, practicals and sessions in the Instructional Computing
Facility.
This course will provide an introduction to a range of computer
techniques for the design, collection, management and analysis of the
kinds of data commonly encountered in population and health surveys in
developing countries. Topics covered include advanced use of
spreadsheets, unpacking DHS and similar files, joining and matching files
of different lengths, review of EPI-INFO for questionnaire construction
and data entry, reading data into SAS, data checking and manipulation,
and the use of standard procedures. The sessions will provide students
with the computer skills needed to complete the homework required for
courses such as PIH 221c and PIH 222d (Analysis of Fertility and
Mortality). Course Activities: All sessions will involve individual practice with
computer programs available in the Instructional Computing Facility.
Students must complete the weekly assignments and a final exam. Course Note: The course assumes prior familiarity with basic computer
methods such as word processing and use of spreadsheets for calculation
and drawing graphs; BIO 113b is strongly recommended; enrollment limited
to 20 students; pass/fail option only.
PIH 206cd. Complex Humanitarian Emergencies Research Dr. J. Leaning 2.5 credits Lectures, seminars. One 2-hour session each week.
The course addresses critical aspects of complex humanitarian
emergencies, which are assessed as acute threats to large populations
trapped in war, civil conflict, and underlying poverty and deprivation.
These crises are characterized by targeted attacks on civilians, mass
population dislocations, widespread human rights abuses, and a high level
of insecurity for responders. Topic areas, including assessment of root
causes and precipitants, intervention experience, public health and
medical operations, role of media and NGOs, human rights and humanitarian
law issues, and psychosocial aspects, are covered through case study and
review of the literature. Emphasis is placed on preparing public health
practitioners and policy makers to participate in humanitarian prevention
and response. Course Activities: Requirements include readings from syllabus and short
list of required texts as well as a final paper. Course Note: Enrollment limited, instructor's signature required.
PIH 211b. Management Control in Health Organizations Dr. M. Mitchell 2.5 credits Lectures, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course is designed for students interested in learning about finance
and management of health care in low and middled income countries. The
focus will be on the development of knowledge and skills that are needed
by managers of health care organizations in a variety of settings. It
will cover a broad range of topics including cost analysis, budgeting and
control, financial analysis, revenue generation, and performance
monitoring. While some theory will be presented, this course will
emphasize practical applications of the techniques discussed through the
use of the case study method. Although no prior education in financial
or managerial accounting is required to take this course, students
without any prior training will be expected to do extra work to learn the
basics of financial accounting. Course Note: Students who have or are taking HPM219a or HPM220b may not
take this course for credit.
PIH 214d. Health, Human Rights and the International System Dr. S. Marks 2.5 credits Lectures, seminars. One 3-hour session each week.
This course is designed to provide an overview of the nature and role of
international norms, processes and institutions with respect to health
and human rights issues. Focus will be on the responses of the
international political and legal order to some of the pressing issues of
health and human rights. Focus will be on the principal multilateral
agencies and programs. Among the specific issues to be examined are:
trade; intellectual property and drug pricing in Africa; refugee status
of girls threatened with FGC (female genital cutting); forced
sterilization and human rights procedures in Latin America; use of
nuclear weapons before the World Court; health of child workers under the
European Social Charter. We will use simulations of actual cases. The
ultimate aim of the course is to prepare students to understand and
interact with the international system to advance the health and human
rights objectives, whether through governmental, intergovernmental or
nongovernmental processes. Course Note: Students considering taking this course are strongly
encouraged, but not required, to first take PIH 218a "Health and Human
Rights".
PIH 218a. Health and Human Rights: Concepts and Methods for Public Health Dr. S. Gruskin 2.5 credits Lecture, case study. One 3-hour session each week.
The course identifies and discusses the complex interactions between
health and human rights, with particular emphasis on the implications of
human rights for public health thinking and practice. The course provides
the basis for literacy about modern human rights, including core
principles, key documents, institutions and practices. Then, a framework
for analysis of health/human rights interactions is developed and
applied, including: effect of health policies and programs on human
rights; health consequences of human rights violations; and the
inextricable linkage between promoting and protecting health and
promoting and protecting human rights. A variety of topics including
reproductive health and HIV/AIDS are used to illustrate and explore
practical applications of human rights in public health.
PIH 219b. Development and Human Rights (Cross-listed at KSG as PED-141M) Dr. S. Marks 2.5 credits Lectures, seminars.
This course considers the impact of economic development on health and human rights, and the problems achieving human rights in developing societies. We will examine broad-ranging political-economic and social issues that bear on the local application of internationally recognized human rights. Beginning with an exploration of the underlying concepts and strategies of both economic development and human rights, we will consider international economic relations (trade, investment, technical assistance) as they affect health and human rights.
We will explore the social, economic, cultural, legal and political processes by which development and human rights are affected in various societies. Topics to be covered include the human right to development, conditionality of foreign aid, corruption, housing, gender issues, and ethnic conflict. Course Note: Enrollment limited to 40 students.
PIH 220b. Introduction to Demographic Methods Dr. A. Hill, Guest Lecturers 2.5 credits Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
Presents the main demographic approaches to the study of population
structure and dynamics, including data sources, age and sex composition,
growth, fertility, nuptiality, mortality, and population forecasts and
projections.
[PIH 221c.] Fertility Analysis Dr. U. Larsen 2.5 credits Not offered 2001-2002. Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
The course is an intermediate level class on the analysis of fertility
and its proximate determinants. The students are introduced to the
different data sources useful for estimating and interpreting levels and
differentials of fertility. A number of the most used techniques in
fertility analyses are presented. The emphasis is on understanding the
underlying assumptions, applying the techniques and interpreting the
results. Research design issues and frameworks for studying levels and
variations in fertility are discussed, and specific empirical analyses
are reviewed. This course is designed to be taken concurrently with PIH
203c. Course Activities: Practical training will be given through homework
exercises and a final take home exam.
PIH 222c. Measuring Population Health Dr. A. Hill 2.5 credits Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This intermediate level course introduces students to the problems of
measuring the health status of populations with particular attention to
developing countries. It provides a theoretical introduction to the
problem of developing population-based measures that include both the
effects of premature mortality as well as the effects of morbidity and
disability. A section of the course is devoted to capturing the main
dimensions of mortality levels and patterns for adults and children in
countries without full vital registration. The new WHO life tables are
contrasted with other mortality measures. The value of verbal autopsies
for cause of death ascertainment is discussed. The remainder of the
course deals with the problem of assessing the burden of disease
attributable to illness and disability. A variety of approaches are
presented including the DALE measures and quality-adjusted life years
measures such as the DALY. This course provides the theoretical and
practical skills for the student to understand the steps needed to
undertake a national burden of disease study. Course Activities: Students are required to undertake a series of short
practical exercises that require use of spreadsheets and specialized
programs provided in the computer laboratory. The final product is a
complete analysis of one or more data sets for a selected country.
PIH 224d. The Epidemiology of the Family Dr. Rahman 2.5 credits Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course will explore how membership in a "family" affects one's
health and survival. It will draw on the burgeoning literature in social
epidemiology which goes beyond the conventional epidemiologic focus on
individual specific risk factors and investigates the social, economic,
behavioral, informational and biological links between individuals and
their kingroup, and the effects of such links on individual health
status. Students will be introduced to the extensive literature in this
area, with the focus on developing countries; measures of health status,
both subjective and objective; and data and analytic issues inherent in
investigating family level effects on health.
PIH 239d. Management of Reproductive Health Programs Dr. M. Mitchell 2.5 credits Lectures, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
The development of exciting and innovative policies and programs have
little impact on health unless they are effectively implemented. Yet few
health planners or managers in Low Income Countries have any formal
training in management and as a result many excellent global, national
and local health initiatives do not achieve their goals in a reasonable
time frame or at an affordable cost.
A good example of need for greater capacity in implementation is the case
of Reproductive Health. Following 1994 International Conference on
Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, almost all countries adopted
policies consistent with a reproductive-health approach to service
delivery. Yet, recent evidence has indicated that, while most countries
have adopted policies appropriate to the language of the Program of
Action from ICPD, few have been able to deliver client focused integrated
reproductive health services to their populations.
This course will look at the management approaches and tools necessary
for effective implementation of a reproductive health program and the
reasons for the slow implementation of the The Program of Action of the
ICPD. Topics will include fundamentals of management, planning and
monitoring tools, change management, assessing system capacities, dealing
with donors and politicians, and evaluation of success. The course will
have an emphasis on the learning of practical skills and applications
using a case based method of teaching.
PIH 241c. Health Planning in Developing Countries: Cost-Effective
Analysis and Priority Setting Techniques Dr. J. Sevilla, Dr. A. Mahal 2.5 credits Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
Through the use of lectures and problem sets, students will learn the
applied skills needed for the economic evaluation of health projects,
interventions and programs. Emphasis will be placed on cost-effectiveness
and its use in sectoral resource allocation decisions including ethical
underpinnings. Course Activities: Students will gain experience using spreadsheets for
calculations of costs and benefits. Course Note: Some knowledge of economics or quantitative skills
recommended.
PIH243d. Qualitative Methods in Public Health Ms. A. Basu (P), Dr. A. Hill (S) 2.5 credits Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course will introduce students to qualitative methods of research in
the health and population sciences. Methods of qualitative data
collection, interpretation, analysis and reporting will be covered. The
course will also include three innovative areas: 1). a discussion of the
limitations of qualitative methods; 2). explore some of the questions of
ethics as well as efficacy that arise when one tries to apply the lessons
from qualitative research to policy; and 3). an exploration of
non-traditional methods of qualitative research. Course activities: Students will be expected to produce a short research
paper or a proposal for research that incorporates qualitative methods of
data collection and analysis. These papers/proposals will be presented
to the class.
PIH 244b. Health Sector Reform: A Worldwide Perspective Dr. P. Berman 2.5 credits Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course surveys the impact of the global movement to reform national
health care systems on the lower and middle income countries. It
introduces a framework for analyzing health care systems and designing
strategies for system reform, including political dimensions, with
specific references to developing countries. It then examines some of
the major elements of reform strategies as they are being applied in
these countries, including goal-setting, financing, benefits packages,
the organization of health care and the role of the private health
sector, governmental reform, regulation, and change in consumer behavior.
Studies and case material from many different countries are used.
PIH 245ab. Population and Development Policies: A World of Contention
Dr. G. Zeidenstein 2.5 credits Seminars. One 2-hour session each week.
This seminar-course covers the development and implementation of
population policies within the broader context of international
development activities. It focuses on several broad sub-topics: the UN
trail; theories and evidence; ethical considerations; environment;
security; gender and sexuality; reproductive health and family planning
programs; the shifting USA positions; resources; implementation; looking
ahead. Course Activities: Guest speakers will include practitioners,
policymakers and researchers from the field. Students will be expected to
master weekly reading materials, participate in class discussions, make a
class presentation of work in progress, and submit a term paper on a
topic agreed upon with the instructor. This seminar-course does not
include quantitative applications. Course Note: Enrollment limited to 15 students, with preference given to
students from SPH and KSG. Admission will be based on written statements
of purpose (no longer than two double-spaced pages) submitted to the
instructor at the first session. Signature of instructor required.
PIH 251d: Evaluation of Health Interventions in Developing Countries Dr. A. Hill, Dr. M. Mitchell 2.5 credits Lectures, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course is an introduction to monitoring and evaluating health
programs and interventions in developing countries. It aims to combine a
solid theoretical understanding of the principles of evaluation with
illustrations of practical application. The course will rely heavily on
the use of case materials to illustrate how evaluations are done in the
field. The course considers health evaluation from three different
perspectives. First, we consider measures of impact and the methods
required to measure changes in mortality, morbidity and health status of
a population in the short or medium term. Second, we consider program
(or organizational) performance in terms of whether resources are being
used effectively and efficiently to deliver health interventions.
Finally, we examine the question of attributing changes in health to
particular programs or interventions often conducted in non-experimental
situations.
The course will provide an overview of the reasons for undertaking a
health evaluation and will consider appropriate conceptual frameworks for
evaluation. A variety of methods for obtaining information are presented
including the use of qualitative and quantitative data and how each of
these might be collected in a variety of settings. Students are
introduced to practical problems encountered in designing and conducting
evaluation studies in a variety of settings including disease specific
control programs, primary health care, training and communications
programs and reproductive health. Course Note: The course is intended for MPH and MS and doctoral students
interested in international health program evaluation. Those with or
without first-hand experience of health project overseas are equally
welcome.
PIH 253b. Human Ecology Dr. R. Levins 2.5 credits Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
Provides a broad overview of the human ecosystem as it emerges out of, but as different from, pre-human ecology. Topics are selected from biosphere processes, population interaction, agricultural systems, adaptation evolution and ecology of disease, ecological politics, and evolution. Also considers the role of knowledge and conscious planning as an aspect of human ecology and examines the approaches toward the solution of ecological problems. Course Note: Basic knowledge of biology required.
PIH 256c. Implementation of Health Policies in Low and Middle Income
Countries Dr. T. Bossert 2.5 credits Lectures, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
Covers strategies for implementing new health policies after they have
been formally adopted by the government, including political, regulatory,
governance, and corruption issues and public management strategies.
Examines in detail decentralization to local governments and the
organizational transformation of ministries of health. Course Note: It is strongly recommended that students take PIH 244b
first.
PIH 257d. New and Resurgent Disease Dr. R. Levins, Dr. T. Awerbuch and Guest Lecturers 1.25 credits Lectures. One 2-hour session each week.
The course will cover new and resurgent disease as a general problem of evolutionary ecology and social change. Topics may include environmental change and disease; population change (demographic and migration); organismic changes; vulnerability of individuals and populations; vectors, reservoirs and hosts; eco-social models; research and public health strategies. Course Note: Pass/Fail only.
[PIH 258b.] The Frontiers of Knowledge in HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and
Research Dr. S. Kapiga 2.5 credits Not offered 2001-2002. Offered alternate years. Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to learn about the
current state of knowledge and future directions in HIV/AIDS
epidemiology, prevention, care and research. It will comprise separate
lectures on scientific, technical, programmatic and policy aspects of the
global response to HIV/AIDS. It will provide an analytical framework
which, drawing from accumulated knowledge and experience, will help
understand the manifestations and deep roots of the pandemic, illuminate
currently pressing issues and suggest avenues for an improved response to
HIV/AIDS. Instructors and guest lecturers include public health
specialists, clinicians and researchers, social and behavioral scientists
from Harvard University, other academic centers and HIV/AIDS programs.
PIH 261cd. Mathematical Models in Biology and Public Health Dr. T. Awerbuch (P), Dr. R. Levins (S) 2.5 credits Lectures. One 2-hour session each week.
This course examines mathematical models as a basis for analyzing
biological and social phenomena relevant to public health. Applied topics
include: spread and maintenance of infectious diseases such as AIDS, lyme
disease and malaria; diffusion bioassays for determining toxicity and
mutagenicity of drugs; screening for breast cancer; blood screening,
enzyme kinetics; demographic modeling and population structures.
Methodological topics include differential equations, probability, Leslie
matrices, fitting models to data and computer simulation.
PIH 263e. Grant Writing for Funding of Research and Health Care Projects Dr. K. Dumbaugh (P), Dr. R. Cash (S) 1 credit Lectures, seminars. Four 3-hour sessions for one week.
The objective of the course is to provide participants with: 1) the
opportunity to prepare a fundable grant proposal for submission to a
funding agency upon completion of the course; 2) a framework which
enables participants to write realistic and fundable proposals for basic
or applied research, or for projects which deliver services or care; and
3) the most relevant sources of information about organizations which
fund such work. Course Note: Enrollment is limited to 20 students; no auditors permitted; signature of instructor required. Interested students must submit a 200
word (or two short paragraph) description their idea for a proposal to
dumbaugh@gis.net for review with a phone number where the student can be
reached for discussion of proposal. Selection will be based on the
importance of the problem the proposal will address. A mandatory
organizational meeting will be held Thursday, December 6th 12:30-1:20pm
in Kresge 206.
PIH 265d. Ethical Issues in International Health Research Dr. R. Cash 2.5 credits Seminar. One 3-hour session each week.
This course is designed to expose students to the key ethical issues that
may be encountered in the course of conducting international health
research. Using case presentations and discussion-based class sessions,
students will have the opportunity to begin developing their own tools
for dealing with these important issues in an applied context.
PIH 267c. HIV/AIDS in Developing Countries: Epidemiology and National Responses Dr. S. Kapiga 2.5 credits Lectures, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course is designed to provide a broad description of the distinct features of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in developing countries, and the evolution of national responses against HIV/AIDS in selected countries. The course will focus on sub-Saharan Africa, although relevant examples from other developing countries will be addressed during the presentations and discussions. At the beginning of the course, an overview of the status of the HIV/AIDS epidemic will be presented and followed by a discussion of the methods used to derive regional HIV/AIDS estimates. Later, factors contributing to the expansion of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa will be examined, and strategies that could be used to reduce further spread of the epidemic will be discussed. Subsequent sessions will focus on the evolution of national responses against HIV/AIDS epidemic in selected countries. In each country, the main features of the national HIV/AIDS control program will be described, and the key strategies adopted in reducing further spread of the HIV epidemic will be presented and discussed. Course Activities: Case studies from selected countries where HIV/AIDS interventions have worked will be presented and discussed to assess the possibility of replicating programs from countries where HIV/AIDS interventions have been successful. A combination of formal lectures, case studies and student presentations will be used.
PIH 299cd. Master's Thesis Department Members 5 credits
Student must produce a written thesis in accordance with the thesis
guidelines developed by the department. Course Note: Signature of instructor required; ordinal grading option
only.
PIH 300a,b,c,d,s. Independent Study Department Members Time and credit to be arranged.
An opportunity for independent study is offered for interested and
qualified students or small groups of students. Arrangements must be made
with individual faculty members and are limited by the amount of faculty
time available. These programs are open to all students who wish to go
beyond the content of the regular courses. The program provides an
opportunity to consider the design of studies, programs, or analysis of
data. Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time
of registration; maximum of 5 credits per independent study topic;
pass/fail only; signature of instructor required.
PIH 301 a,b,c,d Tutorial Department Members Time and credit to be arranged.
PIH321d War and Public Health Dr. R. Cash Offered 2001 only 1.25 credits Seminars. One 2.5 hour session each week.
The War and Public Health seminar will examine the impact that war and
other kinds of large scale conflicts have on the health of populations
who find themselves caught in the war zone. Guest lecturers from within
and outside the Harvard community will meet with students on Tuesday
evenings to discuss various aspects of war and how it affects vulnerable
populations. Subjects to be discussed include the Laws of War, the
epidemiology of war, the effect of embargoes and sanctions, refugee
populations, psychological complications of such conflicts, mines, the
unique effect of war on women and children, the economics of war, setting
up medical treatment facilities in war zones, and other pertinent topics. Course Note: Pass/fail grading option only.
PIH 324d. Geographical Information Systems and Helath Planning in
Developing Countries Dr. D. Hozumi (P), Dr. M. Reich (S) 1.25 credits Seminar. One 2-hour session each week.
With recent progress in computer technology and Geographical Information
Systems (GIS), the use of geographical information in public health
research in developing countries became more accessible. This seminar
will provide an introduction to GIS and its applications to health
planning in developing countries. The participants will learn basic
operations of GIS software and use of spatial analytical tools. Seminar
topics will include fundamental theories of GIS, construction of
geographical database, Internet resources of geographical data, simple
techniques fo spatial analysis using GIS software, and examples from
actual applications of GIS in health research in developing countries.
Participants will work on projects to develop skills of GIS operations.
This seminar is not a spatial statistics course. Practical traning will
mainly use ArcView version 3.2 but it will introduce ARCGIS 1 and
SpaceStat. Most geographical data for the sessions will be drawn from a
Malawi Health Study project. Course Note: Enrollment limited to 12 students. The course assumes prior
familiarity with basic computer skills such as word processing and use of
spreadsheets but does not require knowledge of GIS or geography.
Interested persons should send a short description of their research
interest to the course instructor at Dairiku@msn.com by March 15, 2002.
PIH 350-356a,b,c,d,s. Research Department Members, Members of the Center of Population and Development
Studies Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying
Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of
fundamental or applied research in the department. Course Note: Pass/Fail only; maximum of 20 credits; signature of
instructor required.
PIH 353a,b. Population Ethics Dr. A. Dyck
PIH 353 c,d. Population Ethics Dr. A. Dyck
PIH 355b. Approaches to Complexity Emphasizing Qualitative Mathematics
Applied to Public Health and Ecological Systems. Dr. R. Levins
The main objective is to develop an intuitive grasp of the dynamics of
complex systems.
PIH 356 a,b. Biostatistics for International Health Dr. G. Wyshak
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying
Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of
fundamental or applied research in the department. Course Note: Pass/Fail only; maximum of 20 credits; signature of
instructor required.
PIH 356 c,d. Biostatistics for International Health Dr. G. Wyshak Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying
Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of
fundamental or applied research in the department. Course Note: Pass/Fail only; maximum of 20 credits; signature of
instructor required.
PIH 400 a,b,c,d,s. Non-Resident Research Department Members, Members of the Center of Population and Development
Studies Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying
Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of
fundamental or applied research in the department. Course Note: Pass/Fail only; maximum of 20 credits; signature of
instructor required.
PII 250b. Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases of Public Health Importance in Developing Countries (Department of Population and International Health and the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases) Dr. R. Cash 3.0 credits Lectures, case studies. Three 2-hour sessions each week.
This course thoroughly reviews the epidemiology of infectious diseases of public health importance in developing countries. Emphasizes epidemiologic patterns of bacterial and viral diseases as they relate to different geographic and socioeconomic environments. Stresses methods of disease surveillance, especially with regard to prevention and control. Course Activities: Case studies are extensively used with student teams proposing solutions to the problems. Course Note: Ordinal grading option only.
PIM 233b. Biological and Clinical Foundations of Reproductive Health (Department of Population and International Health and Department of Maternal and Child Health) Dr. I. Aitken 2.5 credits Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course provides an introduction to the anatomy and physiology of human reproduction, and covers the essential clinical features of common complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and reproductive tract infections. It also includes discussion of the modes of action of the different types of contraceptives and clinical procedures for abortion. The course is designed to prepare students with no clinical background for subsequent course work in reproductive health and is a prerequisite for PIM 234d and PIM 238c.
PIM 234d. Maternal and Perinatal Health Care in Developing Countries
(Department of Population and International Health and Department of
Maternal and Child Health) Dr. I. Aitken 2.5 credits Lectures, seminars, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course will first provide an in-depth study of the biology and
epidemiology of maternal and perinatal health problems in developing
countries. Particular attention will be given to evaluating the absolute
and relative importance of the main causes of obstetric morbidity and
mortality and of low birthweight. The course will then discuss and
evaluate the effectiveness of strategies like risk-screening, prenatal
care, and emergency obstetric care in preventing or managing these
problems. The information will be used to consider appropriate policies
and programs in specific country case studies. Course Note: PIM 233b or equivalent background in reproductive physiology
and clinical sciences or signature of instructor required.
PIM 238c. Family Planning and Sexually Transmitted Infection Control in
Developing Countries (Department of Population and International Health
and Maternal and Child Health) Dr. I. Aitken, Dr. S. Kapiga. 2.5 credits Lectures, seminars, and case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course will examine the biological, epidemiological, social and
organizational bases of programs for family planning and the control of
sexually transmitted infections. It will consider the scope for and the
implications of integration of these programs as mandated by the Cairo
Programme of Action. It will also explore the effects and implications of
different aspects of health sector reform on policy-making and program
management. Course Note: PIM 233b or equivalent background in reproductive physiology
and clinical sciences or signature of instructor required.
[PIP 240d]. Political Economy of International Health Policy (Department
of Population and International Health and the Department of Health
Policy and Management) Dr. M. Reich 2.5 credits Not to be give 2001-2002. Lectures, seminars, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
Examines issues of health and development in the context of international
politics and economics. Explores how relations between developed and
developing countries affect the formulation and implementation of health
policy and the impact of development policy on health. Students are
introduced to two contrasting perspectives on health and development:
modernization theory and dependency theory, with attention to the roles
of states, markets, non-governmental organizations, and international
institutions. Course Activities: Case studies are used to illustrate constraints and
opportunities for influencing health and development policies.
PSB 205cd. Disaster Management (Department of Population and
International Health and the Department of Health and Social Behavior) Dr. J. Leaning 2.5 credits Lectures. One 2-hour session each week.
Designed for physicians or public health officers who may be charged with
responsibility for on-the-scene, immediate acute intervention during
disasters. The focus will be on decision-making under stress, examining
U.S. and international case studies within the theoretical framework of
disaster planning, response, and assessment. Course Activities: Requirements include readings from syllabus and short
list of required tests as well as a final paper.
WGH 200c. Women, Gender and Health (Departments of Health and Social
Behavior, Population and International Health, Maternal and Child Health
and Epidemiology) Dr. N. Krieger, Dr. S. Gruskin 2.5 credits Seminars. One 3-hour session each week.
This course will focus on constructions of gender and sex and their
implications for understanding determinants of population health and
creating healthy public policy. It will consider how different frameworks
of addressing gender and biological sex shape questions asked and
explanations and interventions offered for societal patterns of health,
disease, and well-being. The course will demonstrate ways of
conceptualizing gender in relation to biology and health using case
examples pertaining to breast cancer, smoking, cumulative trauma
disorders of hands and wrists, HIV/AIDS, violence, access to health
services, sexual health, reproductive health, and population policy. In
all these cases, issues of gender will be related to other social
determinants of health, including social class, racism, and other forms
of inequality. Implications of diverse approaches will be debated, as
part of developing useful strategies for improving physical, mental, and
social well-being. Course Note: Enrollment limited to 25 students; signature of instructor
required; no auditors.
WGH 207d. Advanced Topics in Women, Gender and Health (Departments of
Maternal and Child Health, Health and Social Behavior, Population and
International Health, and Epidemiology) Dr. L. McCloskey 1.25 credits Seminars. One 2-hour session each week.
This interdepartmental, interdisciplinary seminar will offer the chance
to analyze ways by which diverse constructs of gender influence public
health research and practice. Using different examples each week, the
core WGH faculty and students will focus on how gender contributes to
classifying, surveying, understanding and intervening on population
distributions of health, disease, and well-being. Discussion of these
examples will draw on different disciplines, conceptual frameworks, and
methodological approaches (both quantitative and qualitative). For
example, traditional epidemiological and biostatistical methods, along
with multilevel, ecosocial, and health and human rights frameworks will
be applied, as appropriate, in the assessment of gender-based health
related disorders. The format will include formal presentations and
informal discussions. Course Note: One graduate-level course on women, gender and health,
including reproductive health, i.e. WGH200 required.
Minimum enrollment of 5; maximum enrollment of 20; instructor's signature
required. Pass/failing grading option only.
WGH 210b. Women, Gender and Health: Critical Issues in Mental Health
(Departments of Maternal and Child Health, Health and Social Behavior and
Population and International Health) Dr. B. Gottlieb 1.25 credits Lecture, seminar. One 2-hour session each week.
This course explores issues relevant to mental illness, mental health
from a gender perspective. Course themes include illness constructs,
life cycle and transitions, collective and individual trauma, role and
relationship and embodiment. Topics include eating disorders, pain,
hormonally mediated mood disorders, and victimization and will highlight
examples from US and international experience. Readings will be
multidisciplinary, including public health and medicine, social sciences,
history and literature. Course Activities: Includes a student final project. Course Note: Minimum enrollment of 5 students; no auditors.
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